Fighting Plaque While Wearing Orthodontic Braces

Posted November 9, 2016.

One of the earliest signs of tooth decay is plaque buildup. As plaque builds up, our teeth become targets for tooth decay. Orthodontic braces are not intended to fight plaque, but just because we wear them, it doesn’t exclude us from continuing the fight against tooth decay. Your teeth will still need to be cleaned thoroughly as well as your braces. Here are a few tips to not only care for your braces but also ways that you can fight plaque at the same time:

– Avoid foods that can get stuck in your braces and lead to tooth decay. This includes corn on the cob, chewy foods such as taffy, hard foods such as apples, and various nuts and snacks.

– Be sure to clean your retainer once a week.

– To protect your teeth and jaw, wear a mouth guard when playing contact sports.

You can still fight plaque while wearing orthodontic braces. If you would like to know more about what you can do to protect your braces, please reach out to our James B. Macomson, DDS, MSO, PA team by calling 704-867-3667. You can also stop by our office in Gastonia, North Carolina. We look forward to hearing from you soon!